For people of Islamic faith, Ramadan is the most sacred month of the year. During this time, Muslim folks fast from dawn to dusk. But once the sun sets, iftar begins – a fast-breaking feast that runs late into the night and where family and friends gather to enjoy an array of rich treats and moreish morsels. To coincide with this time of year, Sydney’s popular month-long celebration Ramadan Nights Lakemba is returning, kicking off on Saturday, March 9 and running until Monday, April 8 2024. What time does Lakemba Night Markets open and close? From 5pm until 3am every evening, more than 70 local businesses will transform Lakemba’s Haldon Street into a vibrant, global food bazaar with traditional cuisine from Indonesia, Burma, Pakistan, Lebanon, the Cocos Islands, Syria and more. It’s not only Sydney’s Muslim communities that comes together during Ramadan Nights – people of all backgrounds are welcome to flock to sample the fare of pop-up kitchens lining Haldon Street and Railway Parade. Last year saw 1.4 million people experience the celebrations, with organisers saying this year is going to be even bigger and better than ever. What started as a single street barbeque back in 2012, Ramadan Nights Lakemba is now considered by many to be one of Australia's best places to celebrate the ancient tradition. What kind of food will there be? Break fast with with roti and gentle lentil curries from the Cocos Islands; Malaysia's famously buttery grilled pastry parcels, murtabak; and
If Fred again.. fever has got you in the mood for music, you’re in luck; a spectacular gig trail is taking over the Hollywood Quarter (officially home to one of the coolest streets in the world) this Saturday, so we’d suggest heading for happy hour at The Rover, then seeing where the music takes you. Like your tunes by the ocean? There will be live music (as well as yoga classes, panel discussions, film screenings and more) at Bondi’s Ocean Lovers Festival – so head down to pay homage to the big blue (and make it a day out by stopping at one of the best restaurants in the area). Keen for a weekend away? The Central Coast (just over an hour from Sydney) has just been awarded a global award for sustainability, and our Food and Drink Editor reckons this hotel will take you straight to Hamilton Island (without the journey time).